The UK Office for National Statistics estimated that in winter 2018–19, before the Covid-19 pandemic, there were over 23000 excess deaths in England and Wales. Poor housing conditions, fuel poverty and pre-existing health conditions and their complex relations with each other are among the prevailing reasons behind the UK’s higher number of wintertime excess deaths compared to other European countries. The current cost of living crisis means that millions of low-income households cannot afford to heat their homes adequately.
In this BERG seminar, Dr Arash Beizaee will discuss the existing evidence-based recommendations for minimum indoor temperature thresholds to help reduce damage to health from cold home environments. He will also present the findings from the largest temperature monitoring surveys of English dwellings including his work on wintertime temperatures in English social housing which will reveal the extent and severity of cold dwellings as well as the driving factors and some of the mitigation strategies for those at risk.
All are welcome!
